New edition of CIBSE Lighting Commissioning Code L published

Posted: 15 January 2018

The latest advances in lighting technologies and controls are addressed in the new edition of Lighting Commissioning Code L, published by CIBSE and the Society of Light and Lighting. This revised Code enables effective commissioning of complex lighting installations.

The document advises on the stages, activities and actions required to commission lighting installations, including luminaires, emergency luminaires, lighting controls and interfaces with other services. It has been revised to incorporate new technologies such as LED-based luminaires, the latest innovations in lighting controls and the now common practice of integrating luminaires, emergency lighting and lighting controls into one single installation.

The revised guidance will enable increasingly complex lighting installations to be commissioned effectively to work as intended. The new Commissioning Code L is a complete revision of the original, which was first published in 2003. The 2018 edition provides guidance on how to set up a commissioning plan for a project to ensure that the design intent is realised at project completion. It also seeks to ensure that users are fully aware of the operation and benefits of their particular lighting installation.

The Code covers the commissioning of interior and some exterior lighting systems. It is intended to be used as a guide to good practice for the commissioning of lighting installations and to assist the definition of commissioning and handover procedures. It is equally applicable to new-build and to refurbishment/retro-fit schemes.

Sophie Parry, author of the updated code, says:

“Commissioning Code L defines a process to minimise the risk of a completed lighting design performing very differently to the original design concept. It also emphasises the importance of providing the customer with accurate operating and maintenance information, which may now exist as a building information management software model, rather than as traditional paper-based documentation.”